Wonders of Turkey

Day 1 (Door to Door)

Arrive Istanbul

Enjoy your private car door to door transfer to your departure airport before your flight to Istanbul. A complimentary transfer is provided to the tour hotel. This evening, get together with your Tour Director and fellow passengers for a Welcome Drink.
Hotel: Conrad Istanbul or Hilton Istanbul (D)

Day 2

Istanbul - Gallipoli - Çanakkale

We drive along the shores of the Sea of Marmara to the peninsula of Gelibolu, better known in the west as Gallipoli. Here are the battlefields where, for nine months during the Great War, Anzac troops fought unsuccessfully to gain control of the strategic Dardanelle Straits. We visit Anzac Cove and Lone Pine Cemetery. From Eceabat, a 30-minute sea crossing to Çanakkale takes us from one continent to another as we leave Europe for Asia. (BB, D)
Hotel: Kolin (FC)

Day 3

Çanakkale - Troy - Izmir

We first drive to Homer's legendary city of Troy, where archaeological excavation has established nine levels of habitation, including the great city captured in 1200BC by means of the renowned Trojan Horse. A huge replica of this stands beside the city's ancient walls. We continue to Pergamon, the seat of an ancient kingdom and visit the Asklepion, one of the most famous shrines and therapeutic centres in the ancient world. We carry on to the cosmopolitan coastal city of Izmir, sited overlooking an inlet of the Aegean. (BB, D)
Hotel: Swissôtel Grand Efes or Hilton (SFC)

Day 4

Izmir - Ephesus - Kusadasi

En route to Ephesus we visit the archaeological museum at Selcuk where many of the excavated artefacts of Ephesus are displayed and visit the House of the Virgin Mary, spectacularly situated above the Ephesus ruins. We then tour Ephesus itself, one of the world's finest archaeological sites. We visit the colonnaded Arcadian Way, the splendid façade of the Library of Celsus and see the huge Amphitheatre. Next we head to the lively coastal town of Kusadasi where we can take advantage of the hotel's indoor pool, Turkish bath and fitness centre. (BB, D)
Hotel: Charisma (FC)

Day 5

Kusadasi - Pamukkale

Today we follow the Maeander River valley, (so full of twists and turns that it gave us the word 'meander') to Pamukkale, famous for its dazzling chalk-white array of fantastically shaped limestone terraces. We visit the ruins of ancient Hierapolis and the fairyland terraces and see the glistening pools and cascades in scallop-shell basins. The rest of the day is yours to relax and enjoy the hotel thermal pools. (BB, D)
Hotel: Thermal Colossae (SFC)

Day 6

Pamukkale - Konya - Cappadocia (2)

We head to Konya, the old capital of the Anatolian Seljuk Empire and home to the mystic Whirling Dervish sect. We visit the Mevlana Tekke, a museum and national monument, with its beautiful fluted turquoise dome. Next we see the Karatay Medrese and Ince Minaret before driving across fertile plains to Nevsehir in the heart of Cappadocia. (BB, D)
Hotel: Dedeman (FC)

Day 7

Cappadocia - Göreme excursion

Today we enjoy an excursion to Göreme, a region of volcanic landscapes and rock-hewn churches decorated with ancient wall paintings, some of which can be seen in the open-air museum. We continue to the Zelve Valley where the scenery is dotted with churches, caves and troglodyte dwellings. We then tour the underground city Kaymakli and see the cone of Uchisar. We enjoy dinner at the hotel followed by a colourful folklore show in an underground cave featuring dances from different regions. (BB, HD)
Hotel: Dedeman (FC)

Day 8

Cappadocia - Ankara

We start with a visit to Agzikarahan, one of the bestpreserved Seljuk caravanserais in Anatolia, before continuing on to Ankara to visit the Hittite Museum and Anit Kabir, the mausoleum of Ataturk, Turkey's greatest modern leader. (BB, D)
Hotel: Hilton Ankara (SFC)

Day 9

Ankara - Istanbul (2)

Leaving Ankara we take the highway for a scenic drive through the countryside to Istanbul. Upon arrival we embark on a highlight cruise along the Bosphorus Waterway. Travelling towards the old city from close to the Black Sea, the scenery complements the grandeur of the Ottoman palaces, old mansions and fortresses. (BB)
Hotel: Conrad Istanbul or Hilton Istanbul (D)

Day 10

Istanbul sightseeing

Today we visit the Blue Mosque with its beautiful tiles and the Hippodrome where Roman chariot races were held and visit Hagia Sophia, now amagnificentmuseum.Wemove on to visit the fabulous Topkapi Palace, a walled city perched above the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn, and then the famous Grand Bazaar. Our guide will give us a full explanation of the time-honoured ritual of bargaining! This evening, join a Farewell Dinner at a colourful local restaurant. (BB, FD)
Hotel: Conrad Istanbul or Hilton Istanbul (D)

Day 11 (Door to Door)

Depart Istanbul

The tour ends with transfers to Istanbul International Airport for your return flight back to the UK. On arrival at your UK airport, your driver will greet you and escort you to your waiting private car for your door to door transfer to your home. (BB)

Dates and prices

Destination Info

Overall customer rating 5 () 3 Reviews

• • Product :
    Very good tour with excellent Tour Director food at some hotels prevented it from being excellent.

  • Service Rating :
    Poor reception on arrival as no information was provided as to who we were to meet. It appears we were to meet a rep from Insight Vacation but this information was not provided.
    

  • Response :
    Thank you for your comments. I am pleased you had a good tour and you found the Tour Director excellent.
    
    We have upgraded many of our tours for 2012 including hotels, Be my Guest and authentic dining experiences.
    
    Milestones' is part of The Travel Corporation that also own Insight Vacations. We do highlight in the brochure that you will be travelling on an Insight tour. However we will investigate if this needs to be clearer in our other documentation.
    
    I hope you will be tempted to travel with us again.
    
    Chris Fundell
    Marketing Manager

  • Left 119 days ago

• • Product :
    Excellent tour with a very informative guide.Hotels and excursions all first class.

  • Service Rating :
    Good service throughout
    

  • Response :
    Thank you for your kind feedback, following your recent Wonders of Turkey tour. Milestones really take pride in providing our clients with a first class experience from start to finish.
    
    Our award-winning First Class escorted tours, not only show you the major sites and attractions that you would expect but also surprising you with hidden gems along the way, that only a true expert would know.
    Our Tour Directors do make all the difference aiming to share with you their local knowledge and expertise and the hotels are carefully picked for their quality, friendly service and locations. It is wonderful to hear that you agree.
    
    We hope that you book again soon.
    
    Kind regards,
    
    Debbie Pullum
    Customer Services

  • Left 127 days ago

• • Product :
    If you wish to learn about the history of countries such as Turkey, then the way in which this tour was geographically organised was very good. As noted above, the exceptional performance of the tour guide throughout the visit, provided an enormous amount of background, historical and current information plus many opportunities to discuss various points of interest directly with him.

  • Service Rating :
    It was a very good tour with an excellent tour guide, Orhan. The only minor issue was the excessive travelling on one particular day. Apart from that, no other negative comments. Most enjoyable, highly educational and well worth the cost.
    

  • Response :
    Thank you for taking the time to write on Feefo, your comments and feedback are valued and help to improve on the overall experience of a Milestones holiday.
    
    Your positive praise for your Tour Director and his historical knowledge will be passed on. Turkey remains one of our most popular tours and your high regard for your holiday, tells us why.
    
    We look forward to welcoming you another Milestones tour again soon.
    
    Kind Regards
    Shasheen Norton-Laver
    Customer Relations

  • Left 128 days ago